What Are Plus Size Swim Tops?

Plus size swim tops are the upper half of a two-piece swimsuit. They include bikini tops, tankini tops, longline silhouettes, and other bathing suit tops designed to be paired with a separate swim bottom. Unlike a one-piece swimsuit, a swim top lets you select your top and bottom in different sizes and build a look around the amount of coverage and support you prefer.

A bikini top generally ends above or at the waist, while a tankini extends farther over the torso. Both can be a smart choice when your bust and hip measurements align with different sizes, when you want to rotate a favorite top between multiple bottoms, or when you simply want more ways to express your personal style. Explore our full plus size swimwear collection for more one-piece and two-piece options.

Start With the Support and Coverage You Want

The best plus size bathing suit top is the one that suits the way you plan to move and the way you want to feel in it. Begin with support, then narrow your choices by coverage, neckline, and styling details.

Finding Your Torrid Swim Top Size

Swim fabric should fit close to the body because it relaxes somewhat when wet. Close-fitting should never mean restrictive: you should be able to take a full breath, raise your arms, bend, sit, and move without painful digging, slipping straps, or a band that rides up.

Use a soft measuring tape over little or no clothing, and keep it level around your body.

1. Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
2. Measure directly beneath the bust for an underwire swim top.
3. Compare your measurements to the chart for the exact type of swim top you are considering.
4. Read the product description for silhouette-specific information, including strap details and support construction.
5. Try the top with the swim bottom you plan to wear, then move around before deciding the fit is right.

Torrid swim sizing covers sizes 00–6, equivalent to sizes 10–30. Underwire and wireless tops use different fit considerations, so use the dedicated chart for the style you choose. If you are between sizes, prioritize a smooth, secure band and comfortable bust coverage rather than sizing by the tag alone.

Pairing Swim Tops With the Right Bottom

Swim separates make it easy to build a combination that fits both your body and your plans. A supportive top can be paired with plus size swim bottoms in a different size, which is valuable when your preferred bust and hip fits do not match.

For a classic two-piece, choose a swim bottom in a coordinating solid, print, or texture. High-rise bottoms create more waist coverage, while a swim skirt adds a flowy outer layer over the hips and upper thighs. On a day that includes kayaking, walking the beach, water rides, or games by the pool, swim shorts provide added upper-leg coverage and an active-ready feel.

If you want a ready-made pairing, browse plus size swim sets for coordinated two-piece ideas. You can also make the look your own by mixing a printed top with a solid bottom, or a solid top with a patterned skirt or short.

Styling Swim Tops Beyond the Water

A swim top is the foundation of a poolside outfit, not the entire outfit. Add a lightweight plus size swim cover-up before heading to a resort café, walking through a hotel, or relaxing between swims. A breezy layer makes the transition from lounge chair to plans off the deck feel effortless.

For a beach-day look, pair a tankini or bikini top with a wrap-style cover-up, sandals, and a tote. For a resort or cruise day, add an open button-front layer or a cover-up dress over your swim top and bottoms. When you want a swimsuit with a skirted, all-in-one silhouette instead of separates, our plus size swim dresses offer another way to approach coverage and styling.

Keep practical details in mind, too. Bring a dry cover-up for the ride home, a spare bottom if you plan to change after swimming, and a clean, dry space to store your suit after you rinse it.

When to Wear Swim Tops

Swim tops work throughout warm-weather season and anywhere water is part of the plan. Wear them for backyard pool days, beach weekends, lake trips, resort vacations, cruises, water parks, and casual sunbathing. A secure, supportive style can also suit more active water time, while a tankini or longer-line top can be especially comfortable when your day includes frequent transitions in and out of the water.

Summer is the obvious season for swimwear, but swim tops are useful year-round for indoor pools, spa getaways, winter vacations, and warm destinations. For sunny days, remember that shade, a cover-up, and sunscreen are important parts of your swim routine; your swim top should be selected for fit and intended activity, not treated as your only sun-protection strategy.

What Makes Torrid Swim Tops Unique?

We design Torrid swim tops specifically for plus size women, with fuller proportions considered from the start. We measure swim styles on real women rather than mannequins, so we can evaluate how each design fits across the bust, waist, hips, and torso. That fit process matters most in swimwear, where a top has to stay comfortable and secure through swimming, sitting, reaching, and all the movement that comes with a day near the water.

Our swim tops bring our bra-fit knowledge into swim-ready silhouettes. Depending on the style, we offer wireless or underwire bust construction, plus adjustable, convertible, and/or removable straps that help you tailor the fit and change the look. Instead of forcing one all-over swimsuit size to work everywhere, our separates let you choose a top and bottom independently.

Across our swim assortment, powermesh is used for control and support, while individual styles may feature stretch swim fabrics and design details such as knit, sheer mesh, crochet, ruching, lattice, or smocking. Those details are not substitutes for fit—they are part of a collection designed to give plus size swimwear real support, lasting versatility, and personal style. Check each product page for the exact fabric content, construction, and care instructions for the style you choose.

Caring for Your Swim Top

Rinse your swim top in cool, fresh water after each wear to help remove chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and body oils. Follow the care label, avoid wringing the fabric, and lay the top flat to dry away from direct heat. Let it dry completely before packing or storing it so the fabric, elastic, and any structured components stay in their best condition.